Self Awareness Through Meditation

Author(s): Ranjitsingh Kumat
Publisher: Ranjitsingh Kumat

Page 53

SELF AWARENESS THROUGH MEDITATION
miss a meal once a week. Similarly, to eat less than the appetite, to reduce interest in special tastes etc. are called different types of austerities or ‘Tapa'. Fast and other sacrifices or ‘Tapa' or penances have been prescribed to reduce deep attachment to food, and to keep the body fit, Fasting is not enough. One should take off from daily routine and devote time to introspection. “Paushadh' or sleeping in isolation has been prescribed which involves observing fast and taking leave from daily activities and then remain in isolation to have introspection about one's activities and aim of life. To meditate on real issues of life and to avoid evil thoughts is the main aim of Paushadh'.
‘Swadhyaya' (Study) and 'Dhyana' (Meditation)
It has been said that there is no penance comparable to Swadhyaya or 'Study'. To read good books that impart values and show the path of emancipation, to teach the same to others, to think, imbibe and regurgitate the same are covered in this term 'Swadhyaya'. Another meaning of this term is the study of the self—to know about self, to introspect, to go deep into the body and feel the sensations as they are. This study of the self forms the ground for further meditation and kayotsarga—detachment with body. Days and nights have been divided in eight ‘Prahar'; each Prahar consisting of three hours. Ascetics are expected to do 'swadhyaya' in the first Prahar of the day, and then meditation in the second Prahar and then take food in the third Prahar. Similarly at night, ascetic should do swadhyaya in the first Prahar and meditate in the second Prahar and then take rest or sleep in the third Prahar. This indicates that meditation and swadhyaya are preceded and followed by each other and are significant aspects of one's practice. About meditation, detailed study has been done elsewhere in the book, hence repetition is unwarranted.
‘Sanlekhana—To observe with equanimity
This is yet another important practice of Jain religion and one of the three intense desires of an aspirant for emancipation—that he should accept death with full awareness. This type of death is called “Sanlekhana'. It has been the practice of the ascetics as well as nonascetics that when they feel that end stage of the life is nearby, they give up all actions that attract sins, give up food and water and lie down in calm and equable manner and wait peacefully for death with total awareness. They give up all desires, lie down in equanimity, without any fear of coming death and accept what comes, in a most calm